Birdwatcher’s Diary No.81

Published on: 14 Feb, 2015
Updated on: 14 Feb, 2015

By Malcolm Fincham

“Look at all those seagulls” is a comment often made and often deliberately proclaimed by members of my family to bug me.

Trying not to sound too precocious, I can’t resist saying there is no such thing as there are many species of gull none of which have the title of seagulls.

With gulls being far from top of my favourites in my list of bird species, I do, however, have some sympathy for those who informally call them seagulls, having on many occasions checked through a large flock of gulls in hope of picking out a rarity.

Ring-billed gull at Walpole Park.

These thoughts came to mind while visiting Gosport on February 1. This was with bird watching friend Dougal in the hope of seeing the ring-billed gull he had first viewed there over 14 years ago when it first arrived.

Ring-billed gull.

Native to North America and Canada http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/ring-billed_gull/id, it arrived in the UK when it was a juvenile bird – most probably blown off course on the tail winds of a hurricane.

Ring-billed gull in flight.

Although no one seems to know where it goes in the summer, it always seems to like to winter there at Walpole Park in Gosport.

Ring-billed gull at Walpole Park – quite a character often bullying the black-headed gulls.

And with a substantial flock of black-headed gulls to keep it company on our visit there, it was certainly acting like it was the boss!

Two black-headed gulls – one looking very optimistic already in summer plumage.

Avocet in Langstone Harbour.

Also on the same day we visited Farlington Marshes. Arriving at the car park we were welcomed by the sight of 54 avocets out in the harbour, glistening in the winter sunshine.

Dunlin at low tide.

And on the receding tide a large flock of dunlin could be seen feeding on the mudflats.

Ringed plover at Farlington.

As well as a single ringed plover.

Bearded reedlings at Farlington.

In spite of a strong icy easterly breeze, the distinct pinging sound of bearded reedlings could be heard as we managed to view just three in the swaying reeds by the lagoon.

Brent geese wintering at Farlington.

While a large skein of brent geese flew into the lagoon, thousands more seemed to litter the reserve.

Drake pintail at Farlington.

A few smart looking drake and duck pintail could also be seen among the wigeon, teal and shoveler.

A view across Farlington Marsh as a skein of brent geese fly in.

Keeping account of the pied wagtails that I previously mentioned in my Christmas report http://www.guildford-dragon.com/2014/12/28/birdwatchers-diary-no-77/ I have been pleased to see just as many, if not more,  still coming into the roost at the entrance to Woodbridge Meadows, with some taking up their nightly rest in a few of the trees nearby as well.

Pied wagtails at dawn.

They arrive in groups before dusk resting for a while on surrounding buildings before going to roost. Then just before sunrise (about 7.15am) after a short while of chattering to each other, they disperse to their daytime feeding grounds.

On February 3 we had our first fall of snow in the Guildford area creating a winter landscape for a few hours.

Snowy scenes in Shamley Green on February 3.

This gave me a few picture opportunities while on my travels around Shamley Green before the snow melted away during the afternoon.

More snowy scenes in Shamley Green.

Robin in the snow.

The following day in the same location I was able to photo a wily old fox I’ve often sighted, strutting around the hedgerows in its thick winter coat.

I’ve regularly seen this fox in last few weeks hunting along the hedgerows in Shamley Green.

On this occasion he seemed transfixed on something in the field beyond. And not noticing my presence I was able snap a couple of pleasing shots before he scampered away.

Dabchick.

Dabchick (little grebe). An unusual photo as it dives for a fish.

A successful mission as it reappears with a fish.

I was also able to get a few photos of the lone dabchick still fishing in its same favourite spot where I recorded seeing it a few weeks back.

Song thrushes are now starting to find their voices. This one checking out a freshly made mole hill for a meal.

While nearby, one of a number of song thrushes are now starting to find their voices again and could be seen digging around in some soft soil for grubs and worms by some freshly made mole hills.

A group of blue tits grateful for our assistance to help them through the winter.

And although no more snow fell that week, as the cold weather continued, it was pleasing to see some blue tits enjoying some human help.

A view across Frensham Common as we tried to hunt down the great grey shrike.

Visiting Frensham Common on another trip out with Dougal on a bright and sunny Sunday February 8, although the landscape looked barren – still scarred by heathland fires, it was far from lacking in birds.

Woodlark I photographed last summer on a Surrey heath.

We were welcomed by the wondrous sound of a woodlark calling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2gn9aOEuQE

This was the first one I had seen and heard this year, and although too distant to to get a decent record shot (also it being one of my most favourite songs of the countryside), it was a pleasing addition to my year list.

Green woodpecker on Frensham Common.

Shortly after we added stonechat, both green and greater spotted woodpeckers and a flock of mistle thrushes with a few fieldfares to our day’s sightings.

The best sighting of the trip had to be when we finally caught up with the bird we were most hoping to see there. The great grey shrike that has been so elusive and mobile this winter.

Great grey shrike on Frensham Common.

Guessing it to be the one usually sighted on Thursley Common, it had recently been reported seen near the visitor centre by Frensham Great Pond.

Although not getting pictures as good as the ones I took last winter, I was pleased to get a few photos for the record book.

Little egret at Tice’s Meadow.

Heading home, we made a brief visit to Tice’s Meadow in Tongham. This gave a view of a little egret – a bird not seen so often in the Guildford area this year as it was during the floods of last winter.

It also helped in adding a few more new species sightings to my ever developing year list.

Linnets at Tice’s Meadow.

This included a flock of 50 or more linnets nestling in the hedgerow.

Green sandpiper at Tice’s Meadow.

And with a green sandpiper feeding alone in a quiet location nearby, and the continued insistence that I should keep a serious list of of the birds I see, rounded my species seen so far this year to 100. Well, give or take a couple!

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